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Fire Behavior Subcommittee

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Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Fire Behavior Subcommittee (FBSC) provides national leadership in fire behavior assessment and prediction in support of effective fire management decision-making.

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Primary Objectives

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  • Establish and maintain standards for fire behavior assessment and prediction.
  • Provide subject matter expertise for fire behavior modeling and related decision support applications.
  • Provide technology transfer around new models, modeling practices or research.
  • Establish and regularly update wildland fire incident position standards related to FBAN and LTAN. This includes incident position descriptions and position requirements for training, experience, physical fitness, and position currency.

Overview

Overview of Fire Behavior Subcommittee - including membership, projects, and collaboration efforts (pptx)

Guidance

NWCG Firefighter Math Course

Orientation

This video provides an overview of several orientation methods and exactly how we project flat maps from a round Earth. Watch this video before diving in to the Latitude and Longitude, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Grid, or the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) videos.

Time:04:36

Latitude and Longitude

This video shows how we use latitude and longitude to map the Earth using degrees. We cover several topics, including the difference between latitude and longitude, converting from degrees minutes seconds to degrees decimal minutes to decimal degrees, and back, and reading a map using latitude and longitude.

Time:05:16

Public Lands Survey System

This video gives a brief history of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), also known as Township Range Section. It shows how the sections are mapped in many areas of the United States using initial points, baselines, and meridians. We cover how to find your location on a map using the township, range, and section, as well as some of the pros and cons of this mapping system.

Time:06:15

 

Chair: Moore, Chris

NWCG Coordinator:

Parent Committee: Fire Environment Committee

Meeting Schedule:

TBD

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

WFSTAR 2026 Core Components Module Package and 2025 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date:  March 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

References:

S-490, Advanced Fire Calculations (Blended)

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) Position Page

NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) Position Page

2024 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  March 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Justin Baxter, National Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Specialist, with the U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Kelly Woods, Director of the Wildland Firefighting Lessons Learned Center — Mentoring and Teamwork
  • Doug Booster, Instructor, ProHealth Net, Inc. — Motivation and Vision
  • Pam McDonald, Writer-Editor for the National Interagency Fire Center — Lifetime Achievement Award

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Committee

NEW! S-231, Engine Boss Course Available Now

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) incident qualifications. 

This is a performance-based instructor-led training (ILT) that focuses on the application of ENGB responsibilities during wildland fire operations, emphasizing readiness, information gathering, risk management, engine tactics, and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) operations. Trainees apply these skills through scenario-based group work and an optional field day that reinforces hands-on engine operation tasks. 

References:

S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) (Instructor-led)

NWCG Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal